King Charles's rare show of emotion in incredibly moving meeting with D-Day veterans

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s intimate meeting with the four war heroes was filmed by the BBC for a special film marking the 80th anniversary of the historic Normandy landings.

The King and Queen heard moving personal stories from each of the veterans and saw their poignant keepsakes, including a blood-stained dog tag after one of the soldiers was shot in the field.

The 75-year-old monarch even shared some memories of his own, reading an excerpt from King George VI’s wartime diary and sharing an image of his grandfather on the beach with General Montgomery.

Bernard Morgan, 100, who served with the Royal Air Force, took the photograph and said: “I spoke to Montgomery when I was in Normandy, and to Churchill.”

Charles asked: “And was Sir Winston still smoking a cigar at that stage?” “Yes,” Mr Morgan replied. “Always had one.”

The King continued: “My grandfather was so determined to go [to Normandy]. He got very frustrated as they wouldn’t let him go until several days later.”

He then read an extract from King George VI’s diary.

Showing the book to Mr Morgan, who was a codebreaker during the war and was the youngest RAF sergeant to land in Normandy, the King said: “This was my grandfather’s diary, that was his D-Day entry.

“It says: ‘The news was given out at 8am that the invasion of the continent of Europe had started last night.

“The airborne troops had made successful landings in the night and had captured their objectives.”

Mr Dennett said: “That’s a lovely document to keep.”

Elsewhere in the five-minute film, which will air at 8pm tomorrow on BBC One, the King and Queen listened to each of the veterans' wartime memories.

John Dennett, 99, who served in the Royal Navy, confessed that on the last day before they were due to sail for D-Day he was at the dance hall.

“We missed the bus back to where the ship was,” he said, promoting chuckles from the King. The veteran continued: “We got seven days jankers for that. But seven days was worth it, we were able to say goodbye.”

Mr Dennett, who was responsible for transporting troops and heavy equipment across the Channel on D-Day, will attend the 80th anniversary event in Ver-sur-mer on Thursday.

Mr Morgan brought along an old pair of football boots that he carried with him throughout the war. He and his friends would pass the time by playing the sport, in an attempt to forget their surroundings.

The veteran told Charles that he played 12 games of football, including one on the landing craft going to Normandy.

“I don’t believe it,” the King said. Mr Morgan added: “There were Army personnel on there so we decided to have a football match, the Army versus the RAF. I think it was a draw.” “Oh really,” Charles laughed. “How fantastic.”

Sitting opposite the Queen, Arthur Oborne, recalled the moment he was shot just days after landing in Normandy.

The 100-year-old veteran, who served with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, told them: “These are the dog tags which were recovered after I got a bullet through the lung. And there is blood still on some of them.”

Camilla, who is wearing a bright blue Fiona Clare dress and a Royal Lancers brooch that belonged to the late Queen, asked: “Were you rescued by a friend?”

“Yes that’s right,” he said and explained that his best friend saved his life and got him to a field hospital.

However, when his friend returned to the front line the next day he was killed along with Mr Oborne’s entire unit. Appearing visibly moved, the veteran told the Queen that he will be remembering his friend this D-Day.

Jim Miller, 100, who served with the 11th Hussars, told the royal couple: “Remembrance is so important, the younger generation must learn about it and take it to heart.”

The King appeared moved and nodded his head in agreement when John Dennett, 99, from Wallasey, told him: "When you look back at the lads we lost, it was colossal. It's frightening. But that's when you feel grateful for what you've been through."

The King and Queen will attend the UK's national commemorative event in Portsmouth on Wednesday, and travel to Normandy on Thursday, as will the Prince of Wales, to honour those who fought in the biggest sea invasion in history on June 6 1944.

Operation Overlord saw the allied forces mount a large-scale invasion of Nazi-occupied France which ultimately tipped the course of the Second World War in the allies' favour.

D-Day 80: Tribute To The Fallen will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8.30pm on June 5.